Hare Krsna,
It is a revelation to learn that both Vasudeva and Nanda Maharaja are stepbrothers, born from the same grandfather King Devamidha. It is, therefore, pleasing to see such a beautiful friendship, brotherhood, love and affection between them even though we hardly get to see such relationships between step-siblings in the material world today.
On the meeting of Vasudeva and Nanda Maharaja, few things stand out for me. That love for Krsna is at the center of every dealing between them. When Nanda Maharaja went to Mathura to pay taxes to Kamsa, he also offered some presentations so that Kamsa would be satisfied and not think about finding Krsna and harming him. Nanda Maharaja’s only concern was how to protect his transcendental child, Kṛṣṇa. This shows the art of how to pacify one’s enemies – through sweet words, presentations, negotiations, consensus, etc. “Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer”, as a saying goes. Unfortunately for the online generation who make friendship connections on social media, it is hard to distinguish between true friends and enemies. They may not be who we think they are.
My second takeaway from the conversation Vasudeva and Nanda Maharaja is the good fortune of meeting friends and dear relatives.
SB 10.5.24: It is also by good fortune that I am seeing you. Having obtained this opportunity, I feel as if I have taken birth again. Even though one is present in this world, to meet with intimate friends and dear relatives in this material world is extremely difficult.
Vasudeva is right in saying that meeting with friends and relatives in the material world is extremely difficult. We may live in the same city but still it’s hard to see our friends and family. My parents and relatives live in India, and I live in the United States. My parents lament why we are not able to live together. The truth is that this is the design of the material world. As Vasudeva’s analogy rightly pointed out that just as planks and sticks are unable to stay together and carried away by the force of a river’s waves, so too we are unable to stay together due to our past karma and waves of time. It is better to learn to live in separation. This is why I like Lord Caitanya’s line and teachings so much – we need to learn to love and serve Krsna in the mood of separation.
“Kṛṣṇa can be present more acutely in separation. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s teaching: to love Kṛṣṇa in separation. Just like Caitanya Mahāprabhu in separation: govinda-viraheṇa me. Śūnyāyitaṁ jagat sarvaṁ govinda-viraheṇa me. He was thinking that “Everything is vacant without Govinda, without Kṛṣṇa.” (SP Lecture on SB 1.8.39)
This is a great transcendental art to learn how to love Krsna in separation.
My third takeaway is learning that one’s religion, economic development and sense gratification cannot offer real benefits unless one’s friends and relatives are properly situated and away from distress. Wow! I haven’t heard this before!
SB 10.5.28: When one’s friends and relatives are properly situated, one’s religion, economic development and sense gratification, as described in the Vedic literatures, are beneficial. Otherwise, if one’s friends and relatives are in distress, these three cannot offer any happiness.
This means that our real happiness lies in the happiness of people around us, and especially Krsna. If Krsna is pleased, everything is pleased. If Krsna is not pleased, everything is in vain.
My fourth takeaway is about the role of destiny in one’s life.
SB 10.5.30: Every man is certainly controlled by destiny, which determines the results of one’s fruitive activities. In other words, one has a son or daughter because of unseen destiny, and when the son or daughter is no longer present, this also is due to unseen destiny. Destiny is the ultimate controller of everyone. One who knows this is never bewildered.
It is amazing to see how both Vasudeva and Nanda Maharaja acknowledge the role of destiny in whatever happened in their lives. Even though they mention destiny, I am sure by destiny, they meant the mysterious and inconceivable plan and working of the Supreme Lord. Who other than Him is the cause of all causes?
“Naturally we cannot violate the destiny, but if we do it, then we suffer(?). But our destiny can be changed by Kṛṣṇa when we are Kṛṣṇa conscious. That we do not do, but Kṛṣṇa will do. Kṛṣṇa says, ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi: (BG 18.66) “I shall give you protection.” So that change takes place for my protection by Kṛṣṇa.” (SP Room Conversation — July 4, 1972, New York)
My final takeaway is how Krsna or Paramatma guides devotees through the agency of His pure devotees. Vasudeva forewarns Nanda Maharaja to return to Gokula as soon as possible due to some impending disturbances. As we will see in the next chapter, Vasudeva’s fear is about to be proved right.
It is simply amazing how much nectar we can derive from the pastimes of Krsna and His devotees’ dealings with each other.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 